Meet our new Glasgow Service Manager: Grant

Hello! I’m Grant and I’ve just started at LGBT Health and Wellbeing as the Service Manager for Glasgow.

I first found out about LGBT Health a few years ago – while working for a different charity – when I recruited Elizabeth as one of our Volunteer Counsellors. We invited Elizabeth to give a presentation to our staff and volunteers to share her experience in working with the LGBT+ community and hear how we could best meet their needs. I remember being amazed with what Elizabeth and LGBT Health were doing in Glasgow, and since then I have been following the charity on social media and keeping up with the fantastic work that’s been going on.

I’ve been working and volunteering in the third sector since 2013. For over two years I was a Volunteer Manager, making sure volunteers were fully supported and that their work was rewarding, celebrated and valued. After that I worked in Community Outreach; making support more accessible, rolling out our services to communities with high levels of deprivation. This was such a rewarding role, and I remain passionate about accessibility and inclusivity so I hope to continue to include this in the great work the LGBT Health team are already doing.

For the two years before the pandemic I was Service Manager, looking after the charity’s counselling services, physical wellbeing services, self-management programme and support groups. From this role I know how underfunded and overstretched the NHS mental health teams are, and that often the needs of the LGBT+ community are not fully met in these settings. I think it’s so important to have a charity dedicated to supporting and promoting the health and wellbeing of our community, helping to reduce isolation, and providing spaces for us to meet and be our authentic selves.

I’ve spent the past week finding out more about the projects my team have been overseeing, and I’m blown away by everything they’ve managed to achieve, particularly with the backdrop of COVID19. Whether that’s the Trans Support Programme, the incredible work being done to support asylum seekers and refugees, or our programme of community events. Moving these events and groups online has allowed us to provide a safe space for people at a time where many of our usual haunts are closed. I hope that I’m able to support them to continue to develop each of their projects, and that some time soon we’ll be able to deliver our services in-person again.

Everyone I’ve met (via Zoom) so far has been super friendly and helpful and I’m so excited to be joining the team. I’m looking to meeting you all properly, but if you’d like to get in touch sooner please feel free at grant@lgbthealth.org.uk.